Abstract
<jats:sec> <jats:title>Purpose:</jats:title> <jats:p>To examine the relationship between digital competence and chronic disease management self-efficacy in older adults, with a focus on the mediating role of telemonitoring readiness.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Method:</jats:title> <jats:p>A cross-sectional study was conducted among 196 older adults with chronic diseases in Saudi Arabia. Participants completed validated measures assessing digital competence, telemonitoring readiness, and chronic disease management self-efficacy. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and mediation analysis via the PROCESS macro.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Results:</jats:title> <jats:p> Significant positive relationships were found between digital competence and telemonitoring readiness ( <jats:italic toggle="yes">r</jats:italic> = 0.35, <jats:italic toggle="yes">p</jats:italic> < .01), digital competence and self-efficacy ( <jats:italic toggle="yes">r</jats:italic> = 0.68, <jats:italic toggle="yes">p</jats:italic> < .01), and telemonitoring readiness and self-efficacy ( <jats:italic toggle="yes">r</jats:italic> = 0.43, <jats:italic toggle="yes">p</jats:italic> < .01). Telemonitoring readiness significantly mediated the relationship between digital competence and self-efficacy, contributing 14.7% of the total effect. </jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Conclusion:</jats:title> <jats:p>Enhancing digital competence and telemonitoring readiness is crucial for improving chronic disease management self-efficacy among older adults. Health care strategies should focus on digital literacy programs and increasing telemonitoring readiness to foster better health outcomes. Digital literacy programs, nurse-led support, and policy initiatives should prioritize telemonitoring adoption to enhance self-efficacy among older adults.</jats:p> </jats:sec>